Knowledge Framework for Parliamentarians
Ideas for developing a comprehensive induction and training
programme for parliamentarians
George Kunnath
Reasons for inductions
• The effectiveness of a parliament ultimately depends on
the quality of its members.
• Parliaments require members to all have a basic
understanding of their processes in order to work within
committees and the house.
• Political Parties tend to choose the most electable
candidate over the most capable candidate for elections.
• Political parties themselves do not have the structures to
develop future MPs.
• As younger MPs enter parliament, they lack the experience
that they should have gained in local or municipal councils.
Main concerns with Induction
Programmes
• Induction programmes are usually very short and
quite intense. Usually up to a week and members
tend to leave overwhelmed with information.
• They are often constructed quickly and tend to be
a rush job.
• They rarely move beyond the general information
• They rarely bridge the gap between theory and
practice.
Background to the framework
• Initiated by the South African Parliament
during their 3rd Parliament and refined further
during the 4th Parliament and the 9th Ugandan
Parliament.
• The framework is an approach to thinking
about members development and then
devising a plan to ensure that there are
adequate options to develop members
capacities
Starting Principles for developing and
using the framework
• Take the long term view, on average a new MP
takes two years before they fully know their way
around parliamentary process.
• Be flexible, realising people are at different levels.
Some new, some returning and some experts.
• Recognise the role of the political parties and
gain their buy-in to the process
• Plan early
Plan Schedule Implement Evaluate
Building the Knowledge Framework
What knowledge is required by the members in committees to
immediately be efficient and effective?
What knowledge does a member need to understand the processes/ business of
Parliament in order to be effective?
What personal knowledge does a member need to immediately
settle and function in Parliament?
(personal level)
What personal knowledge does a member need to immediately settle and function in
Parliament? (personal level)
1
Benefits and Policies
Benefits and Policies L19
Pension
Benefits
Remuneration
Housing
Medical
Travelling
Telephones
Tax/ SARS
Other
2 Personal Management
Personal Management & Development
Members code of ethics
Personal financial Management
Speed reading
Analysis & Deductive Reasoning
Public Speaking
Speech writing
Time Management
Introduction & tour of Cape Town
Tour of Parliament
3
ICT Skills
IT skills required to function in
Parliament
Basic computers user
Email
MS Office
Website and intranet
PCMS
Unified Communication
Voting system (NA/NCOP)
Sound system (Microphones and
Interpreting)
4
Protocol
Protocol training
Order of Precedence
Forms of address
Protocol guide
Writing & Communication tools
What knowledge does a member need to understand the processes/ business of
Parliament in order to be effective?
1
Constitutional Democracy
4
Core Business
Constitutional Democracy
The Constitution
Human Rights
Governance: - Parliament, - Executive, Judiciary
Legislation
How do we pass legislation?
2 Parliament
Oversight
How do committees work
Oversight model
Parliament
Functions of Parliament
Rules and procedures (NA & NCOP)
Powers, Privileges & Immunities
3 Strategy/IRP
Strategic overview
Mission
Vision
Values
Core Objectives
Strategic planning process
Core Business
Public Participation
How and what ?
Annual Events of Parliament
Public Hearings
etc.
International Participation
Bodies Parliament is involved with:
PAP, SADC PF, IPU , ACP-EU,CPA etc
Study tours
Regional issues
Global issues
Role of PGIR
Cooperative government
Appointments
International agreements
Institutions supporting democracy
etc.
5
Parliamentary
Service
Parliamentary Service
Structure
Services
National Assembly Division
National Council of Provinces Division
Institutional Support Division
Legislation and Oversight Division
Financial Management Office
Office of the Secretary to Parliament
Corporate Services Division
Human Resources
What knowledge is required by the members in committees to
immediately be efficient and effective in Parliament?
1
General Duties
3
Per Committee/Cluster
Per cluster
General
Introduction to the cluster
Presentation by 3rd Parliament
chairpersons - Legacy issues
Specialist presentations on current
issues - academic/expert
Presentation by Reseacher
Presentation by Content Specialists
Presentation by departments
Duties and functions of committees
Planning and budgeting for committees
Best practice in committees
2
Chairperson Role
Chairperson Training
4
Role of Chairperson
Meeting management
Role of House Chairperson committees
Oversight Tools
Oversight Tools
Budget and Finance process
Institutional Mechanisms
Site Visits/Public Hearings
Scheduling Induction and training programmes
• Think long term: It takes on average two years to develop a
new member of parliament, so plan interventions spread over
a two year period.
• Keep the principles and information stage short and the
materials light.
• Have sufficient entry and exit points in your programme.
• Use a diversity of modes to deliver the training, be creative.
Lecture mode tends to be the least popular mode of delivery.
Cultural differences should also be taken into consideration.
• Schedule the induction activities as soon as the dates for the
elections, swearing-in and first sessions of parliament have
been determined.
• Be aware of training fatigue.
Modes of delivery
• A short week long induction for new members of parliament.
• Peer-to-peer workshops with parliamentarians from
neighbouring countries and further afield.
• Presentations of case studies
• Study visits to different parliaments
• Sister party and cross party workshops
• Committee planning sessions
• Thematic workshop and presentations by civil society groups
• Mentoring by former chairpersons and members
• Manuals and handbooks
• Support to formal academic programmes should a member
seek to specialise in a specific area of knowledge.
Advantages
• The framework is a good logical approach to planning and
tends to get good results.
• The approach is owned by the institution
• Its easily understandable and is a good donor coordination
tool
• It shifts the concept of induction from one event to many
events over a year or two programme.
• It allows for innovative approaches
• It encourages repetition
Challenges and the way forward
• Develop a comprehensive M&E tool that can be used to track
members’ effectiveness over the term of a parliament.
• Consider inclusion of more specific knowledge required by
groups such as women members, accountability committees,
human rights committees etc.
• Broaden the base of thematic knowledge that applies to all
members such as the inclusion of MDGs.
• Apply it in two more countries before the end of the TWC
programme
• Strengthen its use as a donor coordination tool